TheLittleSongbird David Attenborough, as has been said many times, is wholly deserving of being called a national treasure, although it is a term he happens to not like. He has done so many treasures and even his lesser output of a long and consistently impressive career is still good.Absolutely adore the first 'The Blue Planet', one of my favourites of his, so was psyched to hear that there was a second 'Blue Planet' series. Luckily, 'Blue Planet II' turned out to be every bit as amazing, easily a highlight of 2017 television (a strong contender for the best BBC produced one and the best nature documentary series) and one of not many 2017 dramas/series that had me looking forward to see the entire lot. This is saying a lot, seeing as apart from the odd gem 2017 has not seen me watching new television by habit, often find myself seeing re-runs or films.OK, so 'Blue Planet II' may not be as ground-breaking as 'The Blue Planet' and not everything is new here. This doesn't matter, because 'Blue Planet II' is just as beautiful to watch, non-stop transfixing, educational, inspirational and emotionally complex.Visually, 'Blue Planet II' was, as it was with 'The Blue Planet' and the best of Attenborough's work, a wonder. It has gorgeous scenery and rich colours, while the animals and marine life are captured in all their glory. Standing out even more is the photography, the underwater sequences are just as stunning as 'The Blue Planet' (unequalled when it comes to underwater sequences).While not with the involvement of George Fenton, the music here soars, rouses just as much and touches the soul just as much, definitely worthy of cinematic quality. It not only complements the visuals but enhances them to a greater level.Really can't fault the narrative aspects in 'Blue Planet II' either. There are things already known to me, still delivered with a lot of freshness, but there was a lot that was quite an education and after watching the full series it honestly felt like the series taught me a lot about the mysteries of the ocean and the marine life that inhabit it. One episode explores the consequences of environmental waste and, while it may seem out of place for some, it was very much relevant and important and well-handled.Attenborough's narration helps quite significantly too, he clearly knows his stuff and knows what to say and how to say it. He delivers it with his usual richness, soft-spoken enthusiasm and sincerity, never talking down to the viewer and keeping them riveted and wanting to know more.'Blue Planet II' has a lot of effective scenes. It's not easy picking a standout, because there is a lot of emotional complexity here. There are shockingly gut-wrenching moments, especially the whale carcass (a strong contender for the most shocking scene of 2017). There are emotional moments, such as the mother with the dead calf. There are tense moments like the octopus and the shark. There are awe-inspiring moments like with the dolphins. There are also moments of great surprise, like in the first episode where one expects a bird to fall prey to an underwater predator but instead something that one cannot believe was able to be filmed let alone found happens.Nothing episodic or repetitive here. Instead, it feels like its own individual story with real, complex emotions and conflicts. One roots for the animals, whether prey or predator. The behind the scenes footage "The Deep Blue" brings honesty and humanity, what the crew go through and how they work against sometimes volatile conditions makes the viewer feel admiration for them.In short, utterly amazing and calling 'Blue Planet II' a must watch does it no justice. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Bert45 I watched the first installment of Blue Planet II with high hopes last night and it was everything I had hoped for. Once again, the BBC/David Attenborough-led team of international wildlife photographers has come up with a sensational piece of television documentary-making - updating and enriching the theme of the original Blue Planet series 10 years ago. You might think you could not be any more entranced by pods of dolphins swimming, until you see the spectacular footage of them surfing for pleasure in huge waves. And to then see a large pod of dolphins rendezvous with another species in a way never seen before, shows us that this is indeed a new way of looking at nature. I will be glued to the rest of the series to see just how much more the latest underwater filming techniques can show us about the seas - but also to hear the salient warning about how badly we are wrecking this Blue Planet of ours. I suggest the BBC make a gift of a boxed set of this series to every national leader on Earth - with a message that says: the future of all this is in YOUR hands.

gerzac This is by far the best BBC Natural History program I have watched this year(besides Spy in the Wild). It just keeps getting better. Especially with Attenborough, Zimmer, Buck Taylor, and everyone else. For me, and possibly others, this is a solid 10/10. As I write this, One Ocean and The Deep have already come out. It truly is a window of hope in a world being destroyed before us.

Farshid From space, astronauts describe the earth as a magnificently bluish sphere, standing out against a dark backdrop. The earth is an inspiring gift bestowed on us human beings to appreciate the nature, the animals, the oceans and the universe. Oceans constitute a major part of this gift, showcasing a vast spectrum of glorious animals and a boundless array of phenomena. These animals are the gems festooning the oceans, living harmoniously together, creating vast treasure troves for us to behold and ponder over, to take delight in discovering. The oceans are the arteries of life pulsating throughout the Planet Earth, reminding us of the splendor and also fragility of rainbow of life hanging majestically over the Earth. This stunning series awakens in us the respect for life and the gift given to us, reminding us of how enchanting oceans are and the animals that make a large and beautiful part of this awesome Life on earth.I hope more people, more politicians, more religious zealots are brought to watch series like this to appreciate and respect the glory of life on Planet Earth and in the Blue Planet. It may cast a spell on them to stop the destruction of this magnificent life, as it did on me watching it.I once again bow to the people involved in the creation of this sparkling diamond of a documentary and wish that Sir David Attenborough live for many years to mesmerize us with his iconic narration and voice.